Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Take a Break Monthly

Gentle giant My mum Mary, 73, had such a good laugh with this rather tall gent on the street. At first glance she thought my husband had grown a few inches taller! Joanne Campbell, 50, of Carrickfergus, Co Antrim Christmas helper My cocker spaniel Buddy loves to get dressed up for Christmas, and we certainly love spoiling her on the big day! Janice Gardner, 62, of Edinburgh Mag moment Planning a wedding can be stressful, so here I am making sure I ‘take a break’ on my big day! Kim Tanfield, 33, of Raunds, Northants Doggy day out Here’s ‘grand fur-son’ Bronn, second left, out on a morning walk with his pooch pals. Don’t they look like a cute bunch? Kerry Bolwell-William, 61, of Blackwood, Caerphilly We’re on the ball!…

Our Lives I heard a buzz and a smile crept across my face. There was a message on my phone — and I knew exactly who it was from. After going through a divorce, I’d finally felt ready to put myself back out there, so I’d joined the dating app Hinge. And I was pleasantly surprised when a man called Ancel popped up. He told me he was French and a wine trader. We started exchanging messages and I found him so easy to talk to that I ended up confiding in him about my divorce. I got the impression he’d understand how I was feeling and, when I saw his reply, I knew my instinct about him had been right. I was engaged to my childhood sweetheart, Ancel told…

Solve our puzzle to find out who it is. HOW TO ENTER Solve the crossword. Then, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares to reveal the identity of the chopped-up celebrity. Enter by post, phone, text or online — see page 73. ACROSS 1Perfume (5)6Garb, clothes (7)10 Gravy - - -, sauce jug (4)11 - - - Pursuit, quiz-based board game (7)13 Murder on the - - - Express, Agatha Christie novel (6)14 Return to a former state or mode of behaviour (7)15 Tall thin tree (6)17 Like more, favour (6)19 Examine in detail — data, eg (7)20 Uncommon case (6)22 Title or heading under which something is studied, anagram of RIB CUR (6)24 ‘That’ll put the cat - - - the pigeons’, expression (5)25 (Of weather)…

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but it can be totally exhausting too! All that shopping, cooking and rushing around after everyone can leave you very much in need of a rejuvenating break. So, this month, we’ve got a real treat for you… We’re giving away £1000 in cash for one lucky winner to spend on a well-deserved New Year getaway. All you have to do is crack our competition and you could be heading off on an escape to remember. But where would be at the top of your destination wish list? Does a relaxing holiday soaking up the sunshine sound particularly appealing? You could head to Spain or Portugal for a blissful beach break, or take inspiration from this month’s holiday feature and fly further afield…

A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss A few years back, Jenny had an unusual encounter. Wandering around a small castle with her husband, she heard music coming from the nearby woods and climbed a set of steep stairs to investigate. She encountered a man with a long grey beard and his hair in a ponytail, who she believed had been playing a lute. He was sitting in the back of a purple van filled with dreamcatchers and wooden carvings. ‘It was like finding a real-life wizard,’ Jenny says. ‘He percolated in my mind over time, and eventually he became Augustus Balthazar North, the North sisters’ nomadic father and catalyst for the story.’ In A December to Remember, the three North half-sisters are called back to a quiet English town…

5 GIFTS TO GIVE YOURSELF THIS XMAS 1 MEANING AND PURPOSE At this heavily commercialised time of year, it can be easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. So take the time to do a kind act for someone else, and see the joy this will also bring you. 2 TIME During this hectic season, take time to yourself to relax in a bath or read a book. 3 FORGIVENESS Now might be the time to forgive someone who has hurt you, as you might find you’ll benefit from letting go of painful emotions. 4 COMPANY It can be difficult to feel filled with joy if you’ve lost someone or have been through a divorce. But reach out to family and friends, as being around others will make you…

Pop music 1 Wuthering Heightswas the first UK number one for which artist? 2Gordon Sumner is the real name of which musician? 3What was Elvis Presley’s home called? Reality TV 4Georgia Toffolo joined the cast of which show in 2014? 5Who did Pru Leith replace on The Great British Bake Offin March 2017? 6Which TV and radio presenter rose to fame after appearing on season nine of The X-Factor? Animals 7Dingos are wild dogs from which country? 8A pod is a group of which sea creatures? 9What animal does a hippologist study? Geography 10What is the longest above-water mountain range in the world? 11How many US states are there? 12What is the longest river in the UK? Books 13What’s the name of the penny-pinching boss at the heart of Charles…

SAGITTARIUS 22 Nov – 21 Dec Who’s delivering the Christmas cheer? You are, Saggi! With energetic Mars in the sweet spot of your star chart, you have plenty of festive oomph to go round, which is just as well since you’re in high demand these days. Being popular is all very well, but you could end up running from pillar to post if you aren’t careful. A New Moon on the 12th helps you sort through the invitations and decide which float your boat the most. Love-wise, the pace is slow but sure. Gentle Venus is bringing feelings and secret dreams to light. Get ideas at local fair CAPRICORN 22 Dec – 20 Jan You may not feel like diving into the festive hullabaloo as December begins, but give it…

I raised my glass and clinked it against my best friend Neva’s as she made a toast. ‘Here’s to the baby swap,’ she said. My husband John, and Neva’s wife Kelsey, joined in. ‘To the swap!’ we all said. To anyone looking on, it might have sounded strange but, to us, it made perfect sense and marked an exciting new chapter of our lives. The four of us had been friends for years. I’d known Neva since we were 18, and at the same time I’d met John, she’d met Kelsey. Although we lived miles apart we were really close, and John and I doted on Neva and Kelsey’s adopted children Adi, Tig and Hammie. But there was something else that bonded us together. All four of us longed for…

Struggling to find a dress that fits every part of your body? Mix and match sizes with a sparkly co-ord instead Silky textures and jewel tones are a great alternative to sequins This elegant jumpsuit will be a go-to year after year…

The best health advice for you and your family From behind me in the classroom, I heard whispering. ‘She should just speak louder,’ a classmate said. ‘Why does her voice sound like that?’ another added. I’d been trying to answer a question but as usual, my quiet, husky voice had let me down. It had been like that for as long as I could remember. Mum said: ‘It makes you unique.’ But I hated sounding different, and then there were the nasty comments — and not just at school. An older male relative had recently nicknamed me Donkey. At 15, I went for speech therapy. But after trying various things, the therapist said: ‘There’s more going on here. I’m referring you to a specialist.’ Weeks later, I had a microscopic…

Health Q SHOULD SHE SEE HER DENTIST OR GP? My 82-year-old wife is generally quite poorly. She wears dentures and the skin at the corners of her mouth is dry and sore, and smiling is painful. A She should probably see both her dentist and GP. It sounds like you are describing angular cheilitis, which can be due to a range of problems including poorly fitting dentures. However, vitamin or iron deficiency, diabetes and fungal and bacterial infection may also need addressing. Q WHAT ARE THESE SPOTS? My daughter, four, has unsightly spots behind her knees and in her armpits which have spread to her face. The GP says it’s molluscum contagiosum but hasn’t given her any treatment. A Molluscum contagiosum is a very common viral infection. It’s usually harmless…

My friend Aimee and I raised our glasses and clinked them together. ‘Cheers!’ she said. Aimee and her hubby Thomas had thrown a party at their place for a friend’s birthday and I was enjoying letting my hair down while my daughter Penelope, three, played with their kids in the garden. Being mums had bonded Aimee and I when we’d met while working together a few years earlier. ‘Please don’t make me go’ I was a single mum, but Aimee and Thomas had both welcomed me in. Penelope and I loved hanging out with them and their children. We got on so well, they felt more like family. The following year, I began struggling to juggle work and find childcare for Penelope when I needed it. When I told Aimee,…

Roast vegetable wreath Serves: 8 Takes: 1hr 30min (plus standing time) ■ 600g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into small chunks■ 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced■ 1 red pepper, peeled, deseeded and cut into small chunks■ 2tbsp olive oil■ 1tbsp freshly chopped rosemary (see Cook’s Tip)■ Salt and freshly ground black pepper■ 1 large garlic clove, crushed■ 2 x ready-rolled puff pastry sheets, defrosted if frozen■ 200g Brie or Camembert, sliced■ 1 egg, beaten 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C, gas 6). Combine the squash, fennel, pepper, olive oil, rosemary and some salt and pepper in a large roasting tin. Spread in an even layer and roast for 20min or until tender. Stir in the crushed garlic and set aside to cool. Turn the oven up…

Maria Ioannou, 54,Hatfield, Herts I thought this might be one of those saccharine Christmas books that I’m not really into. But I was wrong! I read it in one day — once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the sense of community and sisterhood, alongside the touch of nostalgia. The author’s descriptions of characters and scenery made the book come alive for me in a magical way. I felt I was on the journey with the three sisters throughout, and the mystery of the tasks at hand was intriguing. Melanie Lodge, 58,Mirfield, W Yorks I loved this story about three estranged sisters forced together after the death of their father. This was such a feel-good book with great characters. It would be hard to pick a…

What you’ll need ● Ruler● Rotary cutter/scissors● Cutting mat● Two co-ordinating decorative fabric strips, 40cm x 8cm per napkin● Linen fabric, 40cm x 40cm per napkin● Sewing supplies — sewing machine, thread, pins● Iron for pressing seams Step 1 Measure and cut out your decorative fabric strips and linen square. Step 2 Take the two decorative fabric strips and press a 0.5cm seam along the long edges. Step 3 Pin the first strip from the top to the bottom of the linen fabric square, 5cm from the left edge. Pin along the folded edge of each side of the strip to keep in place. Stitch along each hem on each side, close to the edge, removing the pins as you go. Then press. Step 4 Take the second fabric strip…

This warm and welcoming look is a festive favourite Go glam with an all-white scheme For something more modern, we love this bright, fun look…

Our Holidays A gentle breeze in the palm trees rocks your hammock like a cradle, while the sound of the waves washing the shore is your lullaby. Close your eyes and escape with us to a paradise of blue skies, endless sunshine and the warmest of welcomes. There are many reasons why the Caribbean island of Jamaica is at the top of our holiday wish list — sunny days and white sand beaches for starters — but if you think it’s out of reach, you might want to think again. With prices starting at under £800pp with flights included, there has never been a better time to make this holiday dream a reality. When you arrive, there’s plenty for you to enjoy, starting with the spectacular beaches. Sugar-white and lapped…

• Two nights for two • Breakfast • £200 spending money Fancy a two-night break in Liverpool? We’ve teamed up with Staycity Aparthotels, Waterfront to offer you the chance to win a getaway for two to the city. A perfect blend of home and hotel, Staycity Aparthotels, Waterfront is at the heart of the city, handy for the Cavern Club, the Royal Liver building and the Albert Dock. Nearby are the bars and restaurants of the Ropewalks area. If you’re our winner, you and a partner will be staying in a comfortable, modern apartment with a well-equipped kitchenette and somewhere comfy to sit. Breakfast and £200 spending money are also included in your prize. Outside your apartment, extra drinks and snacks can be bought at the Staycafé, and guests can…

Fancy stocking up on a free weekly shop? Enter our brilliant competition and you could win £200 in the supermarket vouchers of your choice! You can take your pick from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, M&S or Iceland. Just think of all the tantalising treats that could be in store — big juicy steaks, delicious ready meals, smoked salmon, Belgian chocs, your favourite wines and beer. And of course you could fill your store cupboard with a host of essentials, from washing powder to tea and coffee. Sounds like a tasty prize? Then grab that pen and get puzzling! 3 LETTERS Rye, Tin 4 LETTERS Crab, Deli, Dish, Feta, Leek, List, Ribs, Rice, Stew, Tuna, Zest 5 LETTERS Boxes, Dairy, Herbs, Limes, Stock, Sweet 6 LETTERS Banana, Butter, Carrot, Unripe 7 LETTERS…

Walking into my sister’s room, I saw her sitting cross-legged with a colouring book on her lap. ‘You doodling again?’ I said. ‘It helps,’ Sarah sighed. We’d been a happy family not long ago, but Sarah’s dad, who’d also raised me, had died two months before. Only a week ago, we’d lost our mum Kathy unexpectedly too, leaving us devastated. Now it was just the two of us. Sarah was 12 years younger than me, and I’d always treated her almost like a daughter. Although with four kids of her own, she was now a fully-fledged adult, I still did my best to take care of her and protect her. Close as anything, we’d spend Christmas and family birthdays together. Between her kids and my two, there was always something…

CORNWALL BREAK WINNER Mark Haughty, Aberdare, Mid Glam ‘This is the first prize we’ve ever won, and it’s a cracker! We’re really excited as we love caravanning and Cornwall, so this was ideal. That very day, we also found out that we’re going to be grandparents. What a week!’ MOROCCO BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: MARKETS) Mrs M Martin, Craigavon, Co Armagh. WINDERMERE MINI-BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: LADLE) S Jones, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. £1200 BIG BONANZA (PRIZE ANSWER: TARDY) R Turner, Lichfield, Staffs. £1000 CELEBRITY CROSSWORD (PRIZE ANSWER: ROWED IN THE BOAT RACE) T Walsh, Birmingham. CORNWALL BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: COASTAL) M Haughty, Aberdare, Mid Glam. INSTANT HOT WATER TAP (PRIZE ANSWER: FLOWED) C Wilkinson, Doncaster, S Yorks. FAMILY THEME PARK BREAK (PRIZE ANSWER: SNAGGLEFANG) Mr B McCluskey, Carlisle. V Wade, Tadworth, Surrey. THEME…

Christmas pyjamas Spread some festive cheer in these snuggly nightwear sets. Treat yourself or a loved one Get them before they go RSVP in style with these glamorous finishing touches from M&S. Level up your look with party platforms or add a touch of sparkle with a glitzy belt and bag. Finish with a spritz of Warm Neroli perfume Shop Watch: Next We can rely on this high street hero for chic and versatile classics. Bag a ruched midi dress or pair knitted and metallic textures for a sophisticated look that works for day or night…

As I left my dance class, I spotted my dad Woody waiting for me. ‘How was ballet?’ he asked. ‘Amazing, it’s aways fun,’ I replied, linking my hand in his. Dad, who’d raised me on his own, was my hero. He was a fitness fanatic, so he’d always encouraged me to be active too. Whether it was my ballet classes, or going hiking or scuba diving, I never sat still for long. Junk food and takeaways were a rarity, but Dad made it clear we were supposed to enjoy our food. ‘If you focus on fitness, then you can eat anything you want,’ he told me. I stuck to that as I grew into my teens. When I was 19, I met someone and ended up moving away. But the…

Win! Christmas is just around the corner, and we’re determined to make it a special one. That’s why we’ve teamed up with megabus to give you the chance to win a fabulous UK city break for two. Just crack our competition and you and a loved one could be heading off for an adventure with megabus, the market-leading, great-value coach operator in the UK, linking over 100 destinations across England, Scotland and Wales. The city break will be to one of megabus’s top destinations, and will include coach travel and a two-night stay in a four-star hotel. To really get you into the festive spirit, our prize also includes £500 in Love2shop vouchers and £200 spending money, so you can get cracking on that Christmas wish list! With megabus there’s…

Beautiful body 1. Dry, pasty limbs are a hazard of the cold winter weather and getting them out can be daunting. Start by sloughing away dead skin with Sanctuary Spa Ruby Oud Natural Oils Coffee Scrub, £12. Enriched with coffee grounds and cranberry seeds, it leaves skin feeling silky smooth. 2. After showering, apply a nourishing body cream. Q+A Vitamin C Body Cream, £10, is one of our favourites. The blend of shea butter and ginger root helps hydrate and rejuvenate dry skin. The zesty scent leaves you smelling amazing, too. 3. For a sun-kissed finish, we love Dove Visible Glow Body Lotion Gradual Self Tan, £7. Using a mitt, apply your tan in upward, sweeping motions, overlapping each area, to avoid missing patches. Leave your hands and feet till…

DO I LET THEM SEE THEIR CHEATING DAD? My husband left me earlier this year for another woman. Our kids, 16, 15, 13 and 12, are with me for Christmas. After initially saying they didn’t want to see their dad, they’re now saying they do. I’m in two minds about it as his new partner will be there. What would you do? TaBReader, Marie, 46:‘You get to make your own decisions about who you do and don’t see, but equally so do your kids. Don’t punish them for your husband’s poor behaviour. Yes. he’s an idiot, but they’re completely innocent.’ TaBReader, Sandra, 57:‘When my hubby walked out, our kids wanted nothing more to do with him. I was happy they’d taken my side, but still encouraged them to stay in…

Three is the magic number I wanted some printed wall art but couldn’t see any I liked. Then, on a recent trip to a pound shop, I came across an artists’ canvas, along with some sparkly letters and stick-on gems. It gave me an idea to create my own. I laid out the letters and gems to work out where I wanted them, and then just stuck them on before hanging it on my wall. It’s really unique and it only cost me £3. Bargain! Rachel Vaz, Wembley, Gtr London Colour POP I love to display flowers on my kitchen table and I’ve found a clever way to make them more attractive. When I fill my vase with water, I add a few drops of food colouring. I used three…

When it comes to memorable holidays, the next one could be closer to home than you think. We’ve teamed up with Away Resorts to give you the chance to win a four-night family break for up to six people at one of their fabulous parks. Crack our competition and you and yours could be enjoying what’s on offer at one of Away Resorts’ 25 parks across the UK. Splash around in the stunning lakeside paradise of Tattershall Lakes, visit the alpacas in leafy Sandy Balls, or bring out the buckets and spades at the beach resort of Whitecliff Bay. We’ll even wave you off with £200 to spend. Each resort is perfect whether you want to relax, explore or have fun. From swimming pools to high-end eateries, Away Resorts will…

As I tidied the house, I heard the front door swing open. ‘Mum, I got you a coffee,’ a voice shouted. It was my daughter Madison, and as soon as I saw her cheeky smile, I grew suspicious. ‘Thanks, but what’s this for?’ I said. She disappeared and returned holding a cage. ‘These guinea pigs need a home,’ she said. I shook my head and laughed. Madison, 18, had a big heart and was always rescuing animals. It was hard to say no to her or my other daughters, Kaitlyn, 16, and Jeslyn, 13. They were wonderful kids who studied hard and made me a proud mum. But, like any mum of teenage girls, I worried. So, to put my mind at rest, they agreed to me putting a locator…

Raising her hand to shush the class, my teacher said: ‘We have a very special guest today, children. Abi’s dad is going to tell us all about being a pilot.’ In walked my dad, Will, to ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from my classmates. Some kids might have been embarrassed to have a parent come to class — but not me. I was so proud of Dad and his high-flying career at TUI. Although I didn’t fancy a career in the skies myself, I always looked up to him. When I left school, I worked as a bar manager for a while. Then I fell seriously ill and while I was recovering, I thought about my future. I knew I didn’t want to work in a bar forever, but I had no…